Module Database

Information for module PALS1002

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This course is an introduction to topics in visual (and auditory) attention, auditory perception and learning intended to provide a background in knowledge of these areas through a series of lectures, supporting tutorials and practical sessions. We provide a brief historical background as well as a modern perspective, discussing early cognitive theories, recent theoretical accounts and how neuroimaging has advanced our knowledge of the brain mechanisms involved in perception, attention, and learning. The course also covers some disorders of perception and attention, and highlights the links with language through lectures on speech perception and attention. There are ten one hour lectures, three supporting tutorials involving discussion and practical demonstrations.

Module aims:

• To provide a general grounding in perception, attention and learning, including a brief historical perspective.
• To demonstrate some classic findings in these fields through a series of practical tutorials
• To show how research in neuroimaging has increased our understanding of the processes of perception and attention
• To demonstrate the interaction of attention, perception, and learning in human cognitive processing
• To show how impairments in perception and attention can lead to specific disorders

Module objectives:

Key skills provided by module:

By the end of the course unit, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• Key theoretical accounts of attention
• Key theoretical accounts of different types of learning mechanisms, including perceptual learning, implicit and explicit learning
• Key theoretical accounts of theories of visual, auditory and speech perception
• Key theoretical accounts of how attention, perception and learning interact
• Key theoretical accounts of brain mechanisms involved in perception and attention, and disorders of attention and perception